Marine thrust bearing assembly



Sept. 5,, 1950 M. H. HINGERTY, JR 2,521,368

MARINE musw BEARING ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 20, 1947 Sept. 5, 1950 M. H. HINGERTY, JR 2,521,368

MARINE 'n-mus'r BEARING ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 20, ,1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 r26 amm g Patented Sept. 5, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MARINE THRUST BEARING ASSEMBLY Mills H. Hingerty, Jr., Eclipse, Va.

Application January 20, 1947, Serial No. 723,001

Claims.

, The present invention relates generally to the art of marine propulsion.

More particularly this invention pertains to an improved power transmission assembly for marine propulsion apparatus especially adapted to be interposed in driving and thrust absorbing relation between the engine drive shaft and the propeller shaft of a boat.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a power transmission assembly of the general type described which is particularly Well suited to use with various types of standard automotive engines in adapting the latter for marine propulsion.

Another object of the invention is to provide a power transmission assembly for marine propulsion apparatus capable of being easily adjusted to secure proper shaft alignment.

A further object of the invention is to provide a power transmission assembly of the type described embodying an improved oppositely effective thrust bearing having substantially all of its moving. parts enclosed within aunitary housing adapted to be maintained substantially completely full of lubricant at all times.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a power transmission assembly for marine propulsion apparatus of the type described employing relatively few working parts which may be inexpensively manufactured and assembled into a durable integral unit requiring a minimum of maintenance attention in use.

The above as well as other and further objects and advantages of the invention together with a better understanding of the precise nature thereof will become more readily apparent to one skilled in the art from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment thereof in which like numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal crosssectional viewthrough a boat illustrating the general arrangement of a marine propulsion apparatus inaccordance with the present invention and showing the manner of mounting my 2 mounting bracket taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating selected portions of the housing constituting an important part of the improved power transmission assembly in accordance with the present invention; and

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view in partial cross section illustrating the forward portion of the power transmission assembly of Fig. 1 in greater detail and to an enlarged scale.

Referring now specifically and in detail to the various figures of the drawings and in particular to Fig. 1 thereof, there is illustrated a preferred form of marine propulsion apparatus in accordance with the present invention which is seen to comprise a conventional automotive power plant Iii having the usual clutch or reduction gear casing 42 mounted upon transverse beams l4 forming a part of the bottom framework of a boat It. A conventional screw' propeller i8 is mounted exteriorly of the boat It in any convenient manner as by means of theusual outboard bearing 2e and is connected to the usual propeller shaft 22 which extends forwardly into the boat to a point adjacent the drive shaft H355 (Fig. 5) of the power plant If]. My improved power transmission assembly is designated generally 'in Fig. 1 vby reference numeral 24 and is shown as being mounted upon a transverse block 26 secured in any convenient manner to one of the transverse beams is. A portion of a stub shaft 28 constituting a part of the power transmission assembly 2s extends rearwardly from the latter and as shown in Fig. 1, is suitably attached as by means of a pin 30 to a flanged collar 32 adapted to be secured as by means of a plurality of bolts 3-; extending about its periphery to the mating flange of a similar collar 36, similarly attached as by means of a pin 38 to the forward end of the propeller shaft 22;

As shown particularly in Fig. 2, my improved power transmission assembly comprises a generally hollow cylindrical housing 4i!) having an enlarged portion 42 of similar shape at its rearward end. The stub shaft 28 is rotatably mounted within the housing 40 and is provided with an enlarged central abutment 44 and a splined front end 46 adapted to be adjustably connected to the drive shaft Hit of the power plant In in a manner to be hereinafter described. The portion 48 of the stub shaft 28 lying to the rear of the enlarged abutment M extends through a pair of collars 59 and 52 havingoppositely disposed flanges 54 and 56, respectively, at their opposite ends. The collars 5(i52 are adapted to be received Within the inner races 58 and I59 of a pair of oppositely effective thrust bearing having oppositely inclined tapered rollers E2 and 54, respectively, disposed between the inner races 58 and 66 and a pair of outer races 66 and 68.

It will be noted in Fig. 2 that the inner races 58 and 6% of the bearings are retained between i about their outer peripheries to be snugly re ceived within the enlarged portion d2- of thehousing and are secured against axial or longitudinal movement relative to the housing by means of a pair of spacer bushings l4 and it. The spacer bushings i l-l6 are also suitably dimensioned to be snugly received within the interior of the enlarged portion l'2' of the housing and, as shown in Fig. 4', the outer bushing 76 is provided with a radially projecting lug ll adapted to be" received within a suitably dimensioned notch 19 formed in theend of the en'- lfarg'ed portion 62 of the housing for locating the bushing 16 relative to the latter and for preventing relative rotation' therebetween.

The assembly described above is preferably secured in place by means" of a cap 78' having a depending cylindrical wall 82' which surounds and substantially closes the rearward end of the housing and is provided with a plurality of bolts 86' extending through suitable apertures 3! formed in the depending wall 82', similar ap'er tures 83' formed in the enlarged portion d2 of the housing, and engaged within suitably threaded apertures 8'3 formed in the spacer bushing '58. It will also be noted in Fig. 2' that the cap is is provided with a central aperture for the passage of the stub shaft 28 therethrou'gh having a convehti'onal' packing at in sealing engagement with the latter. A gasket 88 of any suitable material is also provided at the inner face of the cap 'i'dto' serve as a seal against the outer rims of the spacer bushing l5 and the enlarged portion 42 of the housing.

Refrlili'g now articularly to Fig. 5, is Will be noted that the right-hand or forward end of the housing it is provided with an adapter designated generally by reference numeral and if eluding a sleeve 92' surrounding the housing ii! and a generally hemispherical cover having an inner portion SE and outer portion 96 closely surrounding the inner portion. Suitable packing 98 is provided between the members 94 and 9% and the outer member 95 is provided with a flange I80 adapted to be secured to a similarly" dimensioned portion of the gear casing l2 as by means of a plurality of bolts Hi2. Within the hemispherical cover portion of the adapter Bil, I have provided a universal joint or any suitable type preferably comprising a driving 'y'ok'e or clevis I El i directly connected to the drive shaft "36 of the power plant and secured as by means of the usual pivot pins T98" and HE to a similar provided additional sealing means therebetween preferably in the form of a spring-pressed packing I i6 as shown in detail in Fig. 2.

From the description thus far, it will be noted that I have provided for considerable adjustment between the various elements of the assembly. For example, the longitudinally slidable connection between the splined end GS of the stub shaft 28 and the similarly splined sleeve II- l permits considerable relative adjustment of the shaft elements both in assembly and in operation. Furthermore, the adapter 90 permits longitudinal adjustment between the housing 6 and the sleeve 92 and at the same time provides for a large degree of misalignment between the drive shaft 5% and the stub shaft 28 by means of the relatively movable cover elements 94 and 96.

As shown in Figs. 2, 3, and l, a lubrication fitting I I8" preferably of the pressure feed type is suitably attached as by means of threads I20 t0 the housing 48. As has been described above the rearward portion of the housing so is' closed by means of the cap' l8 having the packing 86 and the sealing gasket 88 associated therewith, whereas the forward end of the housing 40' is sealed by means of the packings 98 and HE, and the hearing I I5. It will now be apparent that since the housing at) is substantially completely closed by the various packing devices specified, it may be maintained substantially completely full of lubricant admittedunder pressure through the fitting H3. Furthermore, since the end of the casing i2 is in practically all cases open to the lubricating system of the particular power plant employed, it will also be apparent that the universal joint will be properly lubricated so that the single fitting H8 is sufficient, to adequately provide lubricant for all moving parts of the entire assembly.

An important feature of my invention comprises the adjustable mounting bracket for the improved power transmission as illustrated in' Figs. 2, 3, and. 4. As shown in these views, this mounting bracket includes a generally rectangular base [22 having a plurality of apertures I24 therein adapted to receive and be held in place on the block 25 by a plurality of stud bolt I 26 and associated nuts A pair of substantially parallel arms or supports Ii'iii provided with apertures Hi2 therein extend upwardly from the base I22 and are" preferably formed integrally therewith as a metal casting or the like. The housing til is provided with a pair of depending generally angle-shaped arms I3 1 secured thereto as by welding or the like as indicated at I 35 and having closed elongated slots I35 therein adapted to lie fet ween the supports I36 adjacent the apertures 32 in the latter. The arms I34 are adapted to be adjustably secured to the supports I38 by suitable means such as a through bolt I 38- provided with a bushing Ma: and secured in place" by means or a nut i l-2. This adjustable mounting bracket affords a large measure of flexibility the initial installation of my improved power transmission assembly and permits any necessary adjustments from time to time to take care of possible vertical shaft misalignment.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that by the present invention, I have provided a compact power transmission assembly particularly well adapted for use in conjunction with marine propulsion apparatus and embodying a relatively working p of a simple and inexpensive ire. In all -ari'ne propulsion systems it"is highly desirable that the working parts be pro- 5, tected sor'faras' possible from theicorrosive or other detrimentalaction of the elementsto which theyv are continually subjected and it is; tobe particularly noted that the completely'enclosed andv lubricated housing of my improved power transmissionassembly embodies this feature to anoteworthydegree. It islikewise true that boats are seldom produced to exacting dimensions upon aimassabasis so t-hat, the various features of adjustability, provided by, my improved power transmissionassemblyrender it particularly suitable fora. variety of installations involving various typesof power plants. It will also be noted that I hav.e provided all of the above as well as additional features and advantages in an integral unitaryassembly-which may be easily handled and transported.

Although I have chosen to illustrate and describe in detail onlyr a single preferred embodi-,

ment ofthisinvention, it is to be understood thatgnumerous changes can be made in size, materials, and arrangement of parts without departing from theprinciples of the invention as setforthin the appended claims. Having thus described my invention, what I claimas novel and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is: a

1. A,powertransmission assembly for marine propulsion apparatus comprising, a housing a shaft in said housing, a thrust bearing operatively interposed between said shaft and said housing for transmitting thrust to the latter, an adjustable mounting bracket for said assembly including a pair of arms attached to said housing and dependingdownwardly therefrom, a base having a pair. of arms extending upwardly therefrom, one pair of arms having elongated slots and the other :pair of arms having apertures, and means extending through said slots and said apertures for. fastening the pairs of. arms in adjusted relation. .7 o.

2. A power transmission assembly for marine propulsion apparatus comprising, a substantially closed housing, a shaft in said housing, a thrust bearing operatively interposed between said shaft 'and said housing for transmitting thrust to the latter, an adjustable mounting bracket for said assembly including a pair of arms attached to said housing and having elongated slots therein,a base having a pair of apertured supports. extending therefrom, and means extendingsthrough saidlslots and said apertured supports for fastening the latter to said arms, and a lubrication fitting on said housing whereby the latter may be maintained substantially com pletely full of lubricant.

3. In a boat provided with apropeller shaft and a power plant having adrive shaft, a power transmissionassembly for interconnecting said drive shaft and said propeller shaft comprising, a housing, a stub shaft in said housing adapted to be connected at its rear end to said propeller shaftand adapted to be connected at its front end to said drive shaft, a thrust bearing on said stub shaft within said housing, means for holding said bearing against longitudinal movement relative to said stub shaft, a pair of spacer bushings at opposite sides of said bearing for restricting longitudinal movement of the latter within said housing,'a cap attached to and closing the rear end ofsaid housing including 'a'oentral aperture forthe passage of said stub shaft therethrough, and a bracket for adjustably mounting said housing on said boat including a base having a pair of apertured supports extending upwardly there- 6: fron'rza pair of arms. depending from said housing and having elongated slots therein, andflmeans, extending through. the, apertures insaid supports. and saidslots for fastening said arms to said supports. ,1, .i 4. In a boat provided with a, propeller" shaft: and a power plant havinga drive shaft, a power transmission assembly for. interconnecting said, drive shaft and .said propeller shaft comprising, a'hollow cylindricalhousing having an enlarged. portion at its rearward end, a stub shaft in said housing adapted toobeconnected at itsrear end tosaid propeller. shaftand having a splined front. endfor longitudinally adjustable connection to said drive shaft, a pair of oppositely effective thrust bearings on said stub shaft within the enlarged portion of said housing, means for holding saidbearings against longitudinal movementrel-. ative to said stub shaft, a pair of spacer bushings atoppo'site. sides of; said bearings for restricting longitudinal movement of the latter within said housing, a .cap attached to and closing therear end of said housing including a central aperturev for the passage of said stubshaft therethrough, and" a. bracket for oadjustabl'y" mounting-said. housing on said boat including'a base having: a pair ofv apertured supports-extending upwardly therefrom, a pair of arms depending fromrsaidl housing-and having elongated slots therein, and means extending through the aperturesin said support oand said slots for fastening said arms to said supports. i o

5. In a boat provided with a propellernsh'a'ft andva power plant having a drive shaft, a power transmission assembly for interconnecting said drive shaft" and vsaid propeller shaft comprising, a hollow cylindrical housing. having an enlarged portion at its rearward end, a universal joint'engageable with said drive shaft, a stub shaft in said housing adapted to be connected at its rear end to'said propeller shaft'and having a splined front .end. for longitudinally adjustable connection to said universal joint, a pair of oppositely effective thrust bearings on said stub shaft within the enlarged portion of said housing, means for holding said bearings against longitudinal movement relative to said stub shaft, a pair of spacer bushings at opposite sides of saidbearings for restricting longitudinal movement of the latter withinisaid housing, a cap attached to and closing the rear end of said housing including'a central aperture for the passage of said stub shaft therethrough, and a bracket for adjustably mounting said housing on said boat including a base having a pair of apertured supports extending upwardly therefrom, a pair of arms depend; ing from said housing and having elongated slots therein, and means extending through the apertures in said supports and said slots for fastening said arms to said-supports. 6. In aboat provided with a propeller shaft and a power plant having 'a drive shaft, a power transmission assembly for interconnecting said driveshaft and said propeller shaft comprising, a hollow cylindrical housing having an enlarged portionat its rearward end, an adapter at the forward endof said housing movably engageable with said power plant, a universal joint within said adapter engageable with said drive shaft, a stubshaft in said housing adapted to be con nected at its rear end to said propeller shaft and having a splined front end for longitudinally adjustable connection to said universal joint, a pair of oppositely effective thrust bearings on said stub shaft within the enlarged portion of a; 5-21, ees

said housing, means: for holdingsaid bearings against longitudinal movement; relative to: said stub shaft, a pairofispacer bushingsatuopposite sides of saidbearingsfor restricting longitudinal movement of the latter within said housing a: cap attached to and closingtherear; end of. said housing includingv a. central aperture for: the passageof said stub. shafttherethrough, anda bracket for adjustably mounting said. housing on said. boat including a base having a pair of: apertured supports. extending upwardly there? from, a pair of arms depending from. said hous ing and having closed. elongated slots'. therein, and bolt meansextending through-the apertures in said supports and saidslots for fastening said. arms to saidsupports.

7. In. a boat provided with a. propeller shaft and. an automotivepower plant, having a. drive shaft, a; power transmission. assembly operatively interconnecting said. drive: shaft and" said pro? peller. shaft comprising, a hollow cylindrical housing having an-.enlarged portionat itsrearward. end, means for adjustably mounting: said housingin. said. boat, an adapter at the forward. end of: said. housing movably attached to. said. power plant, auniversalijoint.within.said adapter connected to said drive shaft. a stub shaft: in said housing connected at. its rear end to. said. propeller shaft: and. having a splined front end.

adjustably connected. to said universal joint, a

pair of' oppositely effective; thrust bearingsv on said stub shaft within the enlarged portion of. said housing, means. for. holding said bearings against longitudinal movement. relative to. said:

stub shaft, a pair. of. spacer bushingaatopposite sides of said bearings-for. restricting longitudinal; movement of the latter Within; saidhousing, a, cap attached to. andclosing the. rear-end; of. said housing including a central aperture for. pas.- sage of said stub shaft,.and.a lubrication. fitting; on said housing whereby the latter. may be. maintained substantially completely full-of lubrie cant.

8. In a boat provided with a propeller shaft and an automotive power plant having; a drive shaft, a power transmission assembly operatively interconnecting said drive shaft and said. pro.- peller shaft comprising; a hollow cylindrical housing having an enlarged portion at its rearward end, means for adjustably mounting said housing in said boat, an adapter at. the forward. end of said housing movably attached to; said power plant, a universaljoint withinlsaidadapter connected to said drive shaft, a-. stub shaft. imsaid housing; connected at its rear. end to. said pro:- peller shaft and having; anenlarged central. abutment thereonand-asplinedfront end adjust.-

ably connected to said universal joint, a pairof. oppositely effective thrust bearingson said". stub;

70 :Number at power transmission. assembly operatively: initerconnecting'sai'd drive shaft. and said: propeller shaft comprising. a hollow: cylindrical housing having an..enlarged:- portion at. itszrearward end; means for adjustably mounting'saidhousingtin said boat,.an adapter at the forward: endofa said housing including a sleeve surrounding: thelatterand a hemisphericalcover movably attached tosaid power plant, auniversal joint within said cover-connected to-saiddrive shaft, a stub. shaft in=said housing connected at itsrear end toisaid pr-opeller'shaft' and having an enlarged central. abutment-thereon and a splined' front endadjustablyconnected to said universal joint, a pairof' oppositelyinclined tapered rollerbearings on said stub shaft within the enlarged portion of said'housing, a locknut in threaded engagement with said stub shaft for holding said. bearings against' said" abutment, a pair ofspacerbushingsatopposite sides of said bearings for re st'ricting longitudinal movement of the latter withi'nsaid'housi'ng, a cap attached to=and-'closi'ng the rear end of said housing including a central aperture for passageof' said stub shaft, and a lubrication fitting on saidhousing whereby the latter may be maintained substantially completely full of lubricant.

l0. Marine propulsion apparatus comprising, an automotive pow-er plant adaptedto'be mounted .in a boat. and having a drive shaft extending rearwardly therefrom, a propeller mounted exteriorly of said boat having a-propell'er shaft attached thereto and extendingforwardl'y into said boat adjacent to said drive shaft, and: a power transmission assembly operatively interconnect-- ing said drive shaft and said propellershafticom-r prising a generally hollow. cylindrical.- housing having an enlarged portiomatitsrearward end, means for adjustably mounting. said. housing in;

- said boat, anadapt'er at; the forwarden'dsofisaidi housing including a sleeve surrounding the lat-- ter and. a hemispherical. cover movably. attached to said-power plant, a universal joint withinsaid: cover connected to saiddrive. shaft, a stub shaft. in said-housing connected: at its rear'end to: said;

propeller, shaft and. having. an. enlarged; central:

abutment. thereon. and a. splined: front end: ad;- justably. connected to: said. universal. joint,, apair; of oppositely inclinedtapered roller-bearings on 1 said. stub shaft within the. enlarged: portion of" said housing, alocknut. inthreadedengagement: with. said stub. shaft for holding said; bearings. against. said abutment, a. pair of spacer: bushings at. opposite sides. ofv said. bearings for' re- 2' stricting longitudinal. movement of the latter:

within said housing, a cap attached to;and-.closing: the; rear end: of said housing, including a central aperture and a. packing in sealing: en.-

gagement' witnsaid stub. shaft, and a: lubrication: fitting on said housing whereby the. latter. may

be maintained substantially completely fullof. lubricant.

MILLSv H'.. I-I-INGERTY, JR.

CITED The following references are of record in theme of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Pontius- Nov;.18, 19 24 Hutchinson Nov; 26; 1929; 

